Kennedy officially endorses Murray in state rep race

MILFORD — Displayed across a projection screen at Scioli’s Pizza Bar were some of democratic state representative candidate Brian Murray’s old family photos.

One showed Murray’s grandfather, William A. Murray, Sr. and Murray's father, William A. Murray, Jr., strolling the streets of Milford decades ago with a young, then-congressman and future president John F. Kennedy.

Other slides presented letters between Murray’s grandmother, Mary DePasquale - a Democratic party whip at conventions in the late 1950s and '60s - and Kennedy. In another picture she stood next to Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

Tuesday night was another photo-worthy moment for Brian Murray as U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III - who is also the grandson of Robert Kennedy - officially endorsed him during the final stretch of his campaign for the 10th Worcester District state representative seat.

“(The pictures) really brought back the heritage of the family,” Murray said in an interview, adding later that “there seems to be that ancestral connection.”

Murray, a Milford selectman, is vying for the seat to be left by State Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford. Murray is running against Sandra Slattery Biagetti, R-Hopedale.

The district spans Milford, Hopedale, Mendon and one precinct in Medway. The seat is currently the last that's Democratically held in the Worcester and Norfolk state senatorial district.

Gov. Charlie Baker endorsed Biagetti earlier this month.

Speaking in an interview, Kennedy said that putting aside the family connection, it’s an “easy decision” to support candidates such as Murray who have been active and involved in their communities for years.

Murray - whom Kennedy called one of Milford’s “favorite sons” - has served on both the Milford School Committee and Board of Selectmen.

“(He) already has a credibility that he built up over a lifetime of service to neighbors and friends...just solving problems and trying to serve,” Kennedy said.

Standing before dozens of attendees, Kennedy also touted Fernandes’ work, calling the evening bittersweet as Fernandes will step down from the seat after more than 10 years.

“You have shown...truly what’s best about public service and what’s best about elected officials,” he said to Fernandes.

Murray, citing those who have held the seat before him, said he has big shoes to fill. He urged supporters to get the word out on his campaign, with just three weeks until the Nov. 8 election and days from the beginning of the early voting period on Oct. 24.

“The opposition is being funded from outside the district,” Murray said. “They don’t care about this community. They just want another Republican foot soldier at the state level.”

Kennedy - who is running for reelection in the 4th Congressional Massachusetts District - said its important for him to have a partner at the local level, like Fernandes, that he can work with and Murray has what it takes to fill that role.

"(He) has shown he has the ability and the desire to do it," Kennedy said.

Christopher Gavin can be reached at 508 634-7582 or cgavin@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @c_gavinMDN

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